Today, I am a blog tour stop for the book When the Skies Rained Freedom by Annette Oppenlander. I am thankful that this book came my way via this blog tour with an opportunity for a giveaway for my readers.
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Goddess Fish Promotions for including me on this tour.
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When the Skies Rained Freedom
Book Info
When the Skies Rained Freedom by Annette Oppenlander (Historical Fiction / WWII)
Blurb
Captivating, gripping and relentlessly authentic…inspired by eyewitness accounts.
To this day, the Berlin airlift presents one of the most dramatic and daring historic events of post WWII Germany, pinning east against west, and cementing the Cold War against Soviet Russia. Without the help of America’s brave pilots, two million Berliners would’ve been lost to Stalin’s dictatorial regime, the future of Europe may have turned out entirely different.
Berlin, May 1945: As the war finally ends, Lotte Berger’s apartment lies in rubble, her mother suffers a breakdown after an assault by Russian soldiers, and both, Lotte’s father and fiancé are missing in Russia. Only when Mitch Cameron, an American pilot, comes to her aid after an accident, does she regain hope. Just as they are growing closer, Lotte’s fiancé reappears under suspicious circumstances…
Berlin, June 1948: Lotte has fought her way through the aftermath of WWII and a devastating loss, when Russia’s dictator, Josef Stalin, decides to take over West Berlin. By cutting off supply lines, electricity and travel, he is willing to starve two million Berliners and force the U.S., Britain and France out. But the western allies, led by President Truman, decide to do the impossible: support Berlin from the air. Thus begins a turbulent and seemingly futile attempt to rescue West Berlin. Willing to do her part, Lotte lands a job as a translator at the American-run Tempelhof Airport. Even if her love is long lost, she can at least dream about Mitch helping to free Berlin…
Excerpt
(Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.)
Lotte
How fragile life is. Snuffed out in an instant, erased by the millions—the essence of war. Oh, how I hate it, that faceless, cruel war that has taken everything I hold dear. And yet, in its aftermath, when it was finally over, I rose from the rubble along with my fellow Berliners, to live and fight another hour, another day—a lifetime.
Berlin, September 1948
I look up as the sky darkens with another low-flying plane. American cargo planes, large and seemingly too heavy to remain in the air, colossal hunks of steel, are here to save us. They carry everything from sugar to dried potatoes to oil and coal, everything to supply the three western-occupied sectors of Berlin.
The air is balmy, a mild day with lots of sunshine, a last remnant of summer, yet the droning sounds above send shivers up my back like icy gusts in winter. It has been nearly three and a half years since Berlin saw its last bomb attacks—attacks that lasted for years and many of us survived only by a miracle, hiding in basements among the wreckage.
The air vibrates as another plane passes overhead. My hand slides into the pocket of my dress to find the brass button, wrapped in my father’s handkerchief. I run a forefinger over its surface and though I cannot see it, I could draw the eagle’s wings in the dark. Maybe he is up there right now, flying overhead. Would I know, would the button I’m carrying somehow submit a signal, some invisible wave? Nonsense, I scold myself. Why do I bother?
Review
I always find myself drawn to historical novels, and even more so when they are set in WWII. Despite the fact that these stories are sure to tug at my heartstrings throughout and leave me teary-eyed often, I cannot stop reading them.
When the Skies Rained Freedom proved to be no different. While I initially planned to read just enough of the book to write a review of the book due to delays in getting started with reading it, I found that once I started, I could not stop.
Inspired by true accounts, Oppenlander weaves hope, heartbreak, and heartwarming moments as well to write a compelling and unputdownable narrative. I especially found the look at the lives of Berliners and the details of the Berlin airlift in this post-war time eye-opening. It was certainly something that I had not read about before.
Oppenlander’s compelling and powerful narrative skillfully strings together romance, family, friendships, humanity, resilience, courage, pain, and more making this read an emotional rollercoaster of sorts. It is a hard read but a must-read as well offering a look at an important point in history.
So I totally and highly recommend this! I am thrilled that Annette Oppenlander has more books written set in this time, and look forward to reading them all.
Disclaimer: Thanks to the author and Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours for the advanced review copy of the book.
About Annette Oppenlander
Annette Oppenlander is an award-winning writer, literary coach and educator. As a bestselling historical novelist, Oppenlander is known for her authentic characters and stories based on true events, coming alive in well-researched settings. Having lived in Germany the first half of her life and the second half in various parts in the U.S., Oppenlander inspires readers by illuminating story questions as relevant today as they were in the past.
Oppenlander’s bestselling true WWII story, Surviving the Fatherland, received eight nominations/awards. Uniquely, Oppenlander weaves actual historical figures and events into her plots, giving readers a flavor of true history while enjoying a good story.
Oppenlander shares her knowledge through writing workshops at colleges, libraries, festivals and schools. She also offers vivid presentations and author visits. The mother of fraternal twins and a son, she now lives with her husband and mutt Zelda in Germany.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Pinterest
Giveaway!
Annette Oppenlander will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Check out the other tour stops and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.
Full Tour Schedule:
January 3: The Avid Reader
January 3: Gina Rae Mitchell
January 10: Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
January 10: Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
January 17: Lady In Read Writes
January 24: Sandra’s Book Club
January 24: Novels Alive
If you would like to review books for Goddess Fish Promotions, please click the link below:
Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour Host
And Now, the End of This Post
Dear reader, do let me know if you entered the giveaway. Also, does this book appeal to you? Do you have any recommendations for similar reads – fiction/nonfiction? Looking forward to hearing this and any other thoughts on this post from you
Thank you so much for hosting and reviewing my new novel. I’ll check in once in a while, in case anyone has questions. Please keep in mind that I live in Europe again and we’re six hours ahead, so I may answer a little later. All the best! Annette
Hi Annette, thank you for writing such a beautiful book! I look forward to reading the rest of your books and more in the future too.
Thank you for taking the time to read and review “When the Skies Rained Freedom” today. We appreciate it!
This sounds like a book I could get lost in. I enjoy most historical novels so this is one I’ll have to add to my reading list.
I also love historical novels and movies, especially about WW2. Will add this to my list. I am reading 3 books at the moment.
This sounds like a wonderful book. I love historical fiction so I imagine I’ll be a big fan of the book.
I love discovering new books through blog tours, and your post on ‘When the Skies Rained Freedom’ has piqued my interest!
Thank you for sharing this blog post about “When the Skies Rained Freedom” by Annette Oppenlander. It’s great to see your enthusiasm for historical novels, especially those set in WWII. The detailed review provides a good insight into the book’s themes and the emotional impact it had on you.
The blend of romance, family, resilience, and historical events seems to make this book a compelling read. The excerpt you included gives a glimpse into the writing style and the atmospheric setting of post-WWII Berlin during the airlift.
It’s also wonderful to see the author’s background and the recognition she has received for her work. The giveaway adds an extra element of engagement for your readers.
As for recommendations, if you enjoy WWII historical fiction, you might want to explore books by authors like Anthony Doerr (“All the Light We Cannot See”), Kristin Hannah (“The Nightingale”), or Ken Follett (“The Century Trilogy”). These novels also capture the human experiences during this tumultuous period.
Best of luck with the giveaway, and I hope your readers enjoy exploring “When the Skies Rained Freedom.”
This sounds like an interesting historical book. It would make a gift for a friends birthday next month.
I do love historical books like this one and I will have to add this one to my Kindle wish list for sure. I may just enter the giveaway also as I love adding to my personal book collection.
This sounds like a good book.
Sounds like an amazing book! I will have to look for that one. Thanks for a great giveaway!
What a great review and interesting story! My dad was stationed in Germany during WW2! Thank you for the chance for the give-away also.
I really enjoy historical type books. This sounds very interesting and enjoyable. I’ll have to add this title to my list.
I love the cover and think the book looks interesting.
Sounds like a wonderful book and would love to read this someday. Good luck to all participants of the giveaway as well.
I LOVE historical books and I’ve never heard of this one. It sounds amazing though and I just added it to my TBR! 🙂